Mardi Gras rocks the city

By Jodie Jenkins

With an outstanding line up the Josephian Mardi Gras had promised to be
a night of great entertainment and with the contemporary sounds of bands
such as Wildfire and Ultimate and the carnivalistic feel brought by Annesley
Malawana and Neson Thyagarajah the bustling crowd were not disappointed.

Opening the festivities Damian, accompanied by a grand chorus of bagpipes,
raised the crowd from their seats with his rendition of the college anthem.
Continuing by joining the opening act, Wildfire, the night was to mark
his first official staged appearance since his joining the group.

The popular band began the nights entertainment with one of the most
electrifying performances I have seen from them. With sensationally covered
versions of songs from a number of the greats including The Beatles and
The Eagles the crowd did not resume their sitting position for long. The
band, as usual, created the perfect party atmosphere with great ease.

But for me one of the most entertaining performances of the night came
as the lights dimmed and the spotlight was placed on Neson Thyagarajah.

Introduced as the best percussionist in Sri Lanka if not the world this
amazingly talented musician gave an outstanding performance. Coming together
with the more modern sounds of Wildfires drummer, Chris Dason, the two
different artists styles complemented each other perfectly really captivating
that celebratory Mardi Gras feel.

A female touch was brought in by Natasha Fernando and Ginger as they
continued the party mood singing upbeat songs such as 'Everybody', 'love
again' and 'I will survive'. The energetic performances of both of the
girls had nearly everybody clapping their hands singing along.

But the true crowd pleaser came in the form of the only Sinhala singer
of the night, an ex Josephian himself, Annesley Malawana. As the whole
audience rose and teens jumped off the balconies in order to get room to
dance it was obvious that this joyful and lively music was greatly appreciated
by what had become a very active crowd.

Although there were a few problems with the sound the production team
must be complimented on the dramatic and dazzling light display. "The lights
were so cool" commented a young Josephian sitting close to me and I must
admit they were the best I have seen in Sri Lanka, complementing both the
musicians and the atmosphere.

The night was most definitely a great success. The chairman of sports
commented that the school had not only had extremely positive feedback
from the audience but had also reach-ed their fundra-ising target of Rs
one million, which can now be used for the development of sports and other
extra curricular activities.

Natasha Fernando of Ex-Dreamteam fame sings at the Terrace of Mount
Lavinia Hotel every Friday from 7.30 pm to 12 midnight. She is backed by
Inshiran and Prageeth, two of the top young musicians in the scene today.

'Summer Daze' @ the Chameleon

"Summer Daze" a grand summer party will be held at the 'Chameleon Night
Club' of the Hotel Eden, Beruwela on August 18.

When you think "down south" the first words that come to mind are undoubtedly
the sun, surf and sand but what if you add the total rave experience to
it? Won't it be just the right combination for perfect happening weekend?
That's exactly what this novel experience has in store for you.

A night full of the most scintillating Trance, Tribal, Progressive dance
and House tunes, accompained by mind blowing sound and lighting, plus a
whole bunch of prizes and surprises await at "Summer Daze", the ultimate
party experience at Eden.

"If you enjoy the future music revolution this is the event for you"
says the main organiser of the event DJ Ben, the host of the Open House
Party on TNL Radio." The whole event is based on a rave concept where there
will be loads of gyrating dance tunes you can dance your heart out to plus
fruit stalls, energy drinks and the works" he said.

The performers will also be a class of their own. Ben along with Everton
from Sound EFX entertainments leading the way, while DJ Tariq (The former
host of the Open House Party) and DJ Tim of Sound Factor will be playing
guest spots with a host of other DJ's.

The venue for this once in a lifetime event is the extremely cool Chameleon
nightclub of Eden, which is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious hotels
down the coast. In association with Red Bull Energy Drink, the media sponsors
for this event are TNL Radio along with The Sunday TV Times and The Daily
Mirror.

'Stars of 70's' : Last Show in Colombo for the year 2001

The popular "Stars of 70's will be staged for the last time in Colombo
on August 11 at the B.M.I.C.H. - Starting at 6.30 p.m.

Music will be provided by Simple led by Mahesh Silva. The dance items
will be by Channa Wijewardene's Troupe and the master of ceremonies will
be Vijaya Corea.

The Show is organised by the O.B.U of D.S. Senanayake College in aid
of their Sports Development Fund. Tickets are available at Torana Music
Box, Liberty Plaza and Majestic city.

'Arumosam Wehi' to storm Lankan cinema

Muhurath ceremony was held for the third directorial venture of film maker
Priyantha Kolambage, "Arumosam Wehi" at Russian Centre recently. Priyantha
is the director of two films "Dehana" and " Vimukthi".

"Arumosam Wehi" is a story woven around a circus that came to a remote
village few decades ago. It highlights the changes taking place in the
traditional lives of the people there. It occupies a playground where
children used to play.

Then the film depicts how the traditional village is subjected to changes
with this new entry. Opening shops around the circus the villagers change
their occupations from traditional cultivation.

'Arumosam Wehi' focuses on the central figure "Bindu" played by Mahendra
Perera, the clown of the circus who is been ill-treated by the manager
(W. Jayasiri). The manager is working hard to own the circus team.

He secretly plans to get away from Bindu first and achieve his goal
before arrival of the owner. But Bindu who looks up to the owner is against
the manager's plot.

Meanwhile Bindu with Laila, a girl in the circus team gets friendly
with the children in the area and the couple volunteer to teach them all
about the acts. However Bindu finds out about one of the plans hatched
on him and meets with an accident.

The manager makes another attempt by accusing him of a theft.

But Bindu's friend Laila together with the children help him to get
rid of the accusation. With the real culprit being found.

A stellar cast that includes W. Jayasiri, Mahendra Perera, Nuwangi Liyanage,
Wasantha Wittachchi and number of child actors.

Art director is Athul Sulthanagoda, screen play by Jayantha Kolambage,
and Suminda Weerasinghe behind the camera.

Samantha Perera introduces to the screen music and lyrics written by
Nilar M. Cassim. The film is produced under the sponsorship of National
Film Corporation.

'Me Mage Sandai' breaks all traditions

By Susitha R. Fernando.

For the first time breaking the traditional film releasing system talented
film maker Ashoka Handagama is to present his internationally acclaimed
film "Me Mage Sandai" (This is my moon) to Sri Lankan film audiences.

The maiden show will be at Elphinstone Theatre on August 10 and then
it would go not to the cinema halls as the custom but to other theatres
and community halls in towns and villages where the film is invited.

'Me Mage Sandai' has already represented over ten international film
festivals winning several awards. Selected for the experimental section
in the London Film Festival it grabbed the award for the Best film at the
'Joungu' International Film Festival in Korea and Bronze Remi award for
the Best Feature film at the Houston International Film Festival. In addition
the film will be shown at the Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival this month
followed by Delhi - Cinemaya IFF and has been selected as the opening film
at the Paris Autumn IFF.

Ashoka Handagama young director had not only revolutionized the Sinhala
or Asian cinema language but had challenged the traditional world of films.

The most experienced film director of Sinhala cinema, Lester James Peries
was assigned to work on promoting this film when a Bank refused to grant
a loan.

The veteran film director in the country was shocked to see the young
director's attempt and he expressed that this young director had daringly
taken the Sinhala cinema into a new dimension and it had a totally new
concept which is quite different from any other Sinhala film produced to
date. He viewed "the film is the first of its own kind and presented in
a way that it has its own originality".

Some critiques described this internationally acclaimed film as the
third revolution of Sinhala cinema which started with Lester's "Gam Peraliya"
and followed by Dharmasena Pathiraja's "Ahas Gawwa".

The film opens when a trapped and frightened young Tamil woman falls
into a bunker in which a Sinhalese Army soldier cowers alone. The frightened
woman in order to save her life submits to his advances. After two nights
alone with the woman the soldier deserts the Army.

The deserter walks into this maelstrom of discontent unwillingly trailing
another woman and thus upsetting the order of things. Jealousy, betrayals,
hatred and lust now stalk the village. Her beauty destroys even the stoic
renunciations of the lonely Buddhist monk.

The film is completely about war, but it is something more than a mere
war between two parties. It is a war in everyone's mind living in a village
stricken with despair and where there are no jobs and little money. Their
only hope is that their sons, brothers and husbands will join the army.
Then, they can live off the soldiers' wages, or reap the windfall of the
compensation payment if their men are killed in action.

The director depicts the how the individual mind works in war-torn society.
He depicts how human relationship, religious beliefs, social customs, youthfulness
and passion change dramatically in a such a society.

In this revolutionary film, director Ashoka Handagama had challenged
all the accepted film making traditions. Armed with few celluloid shots
which were set disorderly, the young director had powerfully passed his
message to his audience. The form of this novel film making has no form.
But this unique method which is typical of him has drawn the attention
to think seriously on Sinhala cinema.

Economist in profession, this revolutionary film maker came via the
theatre and small screen. Starting with the stage play "Thunder" in 1985
he won several awards at the State Drama Festival and his second attempt
on the stage "Magatha" (Don't Kill) too won the awards for Best script
and Best Director in 1988. He has written and directed four award winning
television drama series and one tele-film. His first film, "Chanda Kinnarie"
(Moon Lady) won several awards including awards for Most Promising Director
in 1994 and the OCIC award and for Best film, Best Director and Best screenplay.

Speaking on the introduction of new film releasing system the young
director said " this was not the first time I attempted an alternative
film releasing system and this is not nothing new to other countries where
there are rich film cultures. This would be a first step to make a film
audience".

According to the film maker this would be a beginning for an alternative
cinema from the mainstream film releasing culture which is targeted only
on providing entertainment or to get financial gain. In his view majority
movie-goers today enter the cinema halls just as a habit but not in search
of real cinematic experience." Shows will be organised in theatres and
community centres instead traditional shows in cinema theatres and the
tickets will be on flat rates which everybody can afford. Asked about this
new experimentation and the risk on him determined film maker said "What
I wanted to do is to present my film with a pride and not only to make
it a mere entertainment material but more a aesthetic expression." "Shows
have already been organised in many areas in the country." he added.

Questioned on highlighting feature of his film, the imaginary village
the creative film maker said " My main purpose is to make the geographical
areas for self expression and create characters to pass my message".

Handagama had gone not only beyond the traditional outward appearance
and the his self expression but had explore into the micro limits of the
human heart which includes jealousy, hatred, passion and etc.,.

Handagama's film has gone beyond the traditional style of Hollywood
nor Bollywood narratives of film making but something novel to him and
whole world of film. It has no proper plot, no suspense and it stands against
all existing norms at film making. Inquired about this he said "I went
to the ailments at the very beginning of film making, even before the direction
of the film "The Great Train Robbery".

"I have applied only the most primitive technique of shot joining and
it has no panning, zooming nor tracking" he echoed. The film uses the most
fundamental way of framing, the static frame.

"The was main reason why my film was selected for all these international
film festivals". he added Hopeful for better cinema culture he said that
there are so many talents to come up in addition to those who already come
in the field. The responsibility of the authority to make the ground to
plant this talent and at least to allow them go on their way.

Asked about a view for better Sri Lanka cinema in future he said "We
are at the receiving end in the world. We are welcoming everything but
we don't have anything to give the world unless we become novel".

'Shadow Worriors'

The more impossible the mission, the sooner they call in the SEALS, the
Navy's elite commandos and the world's toughest heroes.

Terry Hulk Hogan stars as Mike McBride, the legendary SEAL leader and
martial arts master in an explosive adventure that moves "chase" onto a
whole new level of non-stop thrills

Mike McBride must not only beat his arch-enemy, the drug lord Gallindo
(Billy Drago); he has to capture him and rescue the US gymnastics team
who are being held hostage on Devil's Island.

But SEALS fight just as fiercely on water as they do on land which means
McBride, his pal Leroy (Carl Weathers) and the delicious and highly dangerous
Hunter (Shannon Tweed) fight off killer sharks as well as dangerous cliffs
and total treachery in order to bring 'em back alive.

That's no small feat in this non-stop action adventure. High risk and
danger are waiting at every turn. But McBride and his team are unstoppable.
It's a good thing they're on our side.

On Swarnavahini at 9.30 p.m. on Monday August 6

Busy Schedules for Material Mom

Keeping an eye on the bottom line, Madonna, 43, is refusing to offer celebrities
complimentary seats to her Drowned World Tour, it was reported last week.
Now comes financial news of a more serious nature.

The Material Music Mogul's L.A.-based record label, Maverick - which
is also home to Canadian rocker Alanis Morissette, whose most recent albums
have not been hits - has lost its president, who resigned, and has fired
five other staff members, Variety reported on Friday. Reports say that
Madonna herself approved the shakeup in an attempt to stem red ink flowing
at Maverick, where losses have amounted to as much as an estimated $60
million.

"She's involved in all major decisions at the company," Ronnie Dashev,
one of Madonna's partners at the music label, told the New York Post. Dashev
declined to say whether or not Madonna spoke personally with departing
president Bill Bennett, who was with Maverick for two years. Madonna runs
Maverick as a joint venture with Warner Bros.

'Madonna in Action' on Music Television On ETV at 7.00 p.m.

New heads for THASL

By Santh Weerasuriya

The 36th Annual General Meeting of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri
Lanka (THASL) was held at Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy on July 21.

A. Kumar Mallimarachchi of Associated Hotels Limited was elected as
the new president of THASL, while Managing Director of Jetwing Hotel's
Hiran Cooray was elected as the vice president of the Association representing
the resort hotels.

Mr. M. Shanthikumar of Holiday Inn hotel was selected as vice president
representing city hotels and Jayantha Panabokke, the Managing Director,
Mahaweli Reach Hotel was elected as the vice president of 'general interest'.

Malin Hapugoda of Club Paradise represented small hotels and guest houses
was elected as a vice president of the THASL.

The new members of the regional associations were also elected at that
meeting.

L. W. Mayadunne of Giritale Hotel was elected as the President of the
Cultural Triangle Hoteliers' Association while Timothy Paldano of Hotel
Tree of Life was selected as the President of Kandy Hoteliers'' Association.

The Beruwala Hoteliers' Association selected Anura Lokuhetti of Confifi
as its President and Adrian Kulatunga of Blue Water elected as the President
of Kalutara Hoteliers' Association.

Tyronne Perera and Siri Goonewardena were named as the Presidents for
Negombo and Hikkaduwa Hoteliers Associations respectively.

Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association elected Eraj Abeywardena as
its President.

Thomas Fruechtl of Mount Royal Hotel became the President of Mount Lavinia
Hoteliers' Association and K. Somapala Perera of New Oriental Hotel became
the President of Ruhunu Hoteliers' Association.

The outgoing President of the Association, Prema Cooray, in his speech,
commended the effectiveness of the Competitiveness, Initiative started
by USAID, together with the main Associations in the industry, in order
to project Sri Lanka beyond the "Beach Concept" of tourism. He also commended
the initiative taken by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to draw up a three
year Strategic Marketing Plan and to set up a Tourism Promotion Bureau,
after deliberations with the industry, to market the destination in an
effective manner.

Mr. Cooray, also highlighted the activities successfully undertaken
by the Association during the past year and concluded by noting that the
Sri Lanka Tourist Board, was working towards creating unity among all concerned
in the industry, which would provide an ideal opportunity to achieve the
outlined strategies in the near future.

At the conclusion of the usual business of the Annual General Meeting,
Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Renton De Alwis,
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, addressed the participants.

Renton De Alwis outlined the future plans envisaged by the Sri Lanka
Tourist Board and requested the support and cooperation of all in the industry
to achieve the targeted objectives.